Council spruiks Coast solar farm savings

SUNSHINE Coast Council claims its solar farm at Valdora has provided nearly $1 million in electricity savings since it started generating power last year.

In a press statement the council said electricity output from the 15 megawatt solar farm had been steadily increasing since its commissioning in July last year, with recent monthly figures significantly exceeding forecasts.

It said electricity generation last month surpassed three gigawatts for the month for the first time.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the strong electricity generation from the farm during January allowed the council to offset 129 per cent of its total power consumption.

"As our solar farm has ramped up so have its benefits for council and our ratepayers," Cr Jamieson said.

"It is very encouraging to see the solar farm is on track to exceed the targeted $22 million in public savings over 30 years identified in the May 2016 business case.

"During January alone, council saved $339,000 versus the cost of using traditional retail electricity supply agreements."

He said savings against "business as usual" for electricity supply had reached $938,000 for the year after all costs, including debt repayments.

"Those savings can now be used on community projects and activities in our region.

"The solar farm is also delivering additional benefits for our environment, with the equivalent of 10,989 tonnes of CO2 carbon emissions saved so far in the first year of operations."